**Whitney Gilmore**  
A central narrator and protagonist whose complex and morally ambiguous journey explores themes of secrecy within friendships and social status. She navigates a luxurious lifestyle in West Hollywood while managing both a legitimate talent agency and a high-end escort service.

**Brooke Lyons**  
A primary point-of-view character and deuteragonist, whose emotional turmoil following her wife's abrupt departure leads to a series of misinterpreted actions by others. As an outsider to the West Hollywood Moms' Club, her actions serve as a red herring for much of the novel.

**Jade Porter**  
The novel's primary antagonist who hides her manipulative nature behind the guise of a supportive friend and mother. Her actions are driven by financial desperation and a feeling of being overlooked.  

**Kiersten McCann**  
A charismatic and seemingly flawless leader of the West Hollywood Moms' Club whose death serves as the catalyst for the novel's central mystery. Her secretive nature and pursuit of perfection leave lingering questions about her true self.

**Abby Blackman**  
A static character who acts as a primary antagonist in Brooke's storyline through emotional detachment and self-interest, particularly affecting Brooke's life post-relationship.

**Colin Gilmore**  
Whitney's husband, whose gambling addiction and selfish behavior set off a chain of deceptions. His charm disguises a weak-willed nature that contributes to the story's tangled relationships.

**Ryan Porter**  
A passive supporting character who inadvertently becomes pivotal in solving the central mystery, motivated by personal betrayal to act at a crucial moment.

**Tommy McCann**  
The grieving widower to Kiersten whose deep sorrow is complicated by the posthumous discoveries about his wife's secrets. He represents the costs of deception and lost trust.

**Natasha, Colleen, and Taylor**  
Minor characters who form the social backdrop of the West Hollywood Moms' Club, often serving to illustrate the group's competitive and judgmental nature. They react to and comment on the unfolding events in the novel.

Keep Your Friends Close by Lucinda Berry delves into psychological suspense, praised for its gripping plot and depth of character development. Readers appreciate the tension-building and unexpected twists. However, some find the pacing uneven, with a few predictable elements. Overall, it's recommended for fans of thrilling, relationship-focused narratives.

Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with complex characters and intense emotional conflicts will be drawn to Lucinda Berry's Keep Your Friends Close. Fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Paula Hawkins's The Girl on the Train will appreciate its gripping and suspenseful narrative.

In Keep Your Friends Close, Lucinda Berry explores the intricate dynamics of friendship and trust. The narrative focuses on individuals navigating complex relationships, revealing hidden truths and testing personal boundaries. As secrets unravel, the characters confront past choices, ultimately grappling with the consequences of their actions and the fragile nature of human connections.

Suspenseful / Unnerving / Mysterious / Dark

Study Guide

Book Brief

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About Keep Your Friends Close

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Overview

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Keep Your Friends Close Overview

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Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

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Chapters 1-8

Keep Your Friends Close Chapters 1-8

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Chapters 9-19

Keep Your Friends Close Chapters 9-19

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Chapters 20-29

Keep Your Friends Close Chapters 20-29

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Chapters 30-37

Keep Your Friends Close Chapters 30-37

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Chapters 38-45

Keep Your Friends Close Chapters 38-45

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Character Analysis

Keep Your Friends Close Character Analysis

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Themes

Keep Your Friends Close Themes

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Symbols & Motifs

Keep Your Friends Close Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Keep Your Friends Close Important Quotes with Page Numbers

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Essay Topics

Keep Your Friends Close Essay Topics

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Keep Your Friends Close

Book Brief

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Reviews & Readership

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